Category: Testing

The Structure of Intellect assesses many different learning abilities. What often shows up as the lowest overall ability is memory – both visual and auditory.

If you think of memory as “the developed art of paying attention,” then you begin to understand why this is a growing concern in education, especially in elementary school.Comprehension is diminished by lower memory ability and problem-solving becomes frustrating when memory ability fails to recall correct information. Fortunately, SOI is in the business of training memory!

MEMORY FACTS

memory is the ability to retrieve information that has been previously understood

a lack of memory abilities can be inhibiting or disabling in the acquisition of basic learning skills

memory is one of the easiest learning abilities to train

you will see improvement with fifteen minutes of daily memory training

MEMORY MATRIX

SOI tests are tests of learning abilities. If someone is having difficulty learning, the cause may be a lack of learning abilities.

Our tests are a great way to get a snapshot of students’ learning abilities and to see their learning potential. Now that you know more about your students’ learning abilities, what’s next? How do you help all of these unique students?

Comprehension of Figural Classes (CFC) at a lower level is the ability to group and sort. It is how we begin to comprehend. These are yellow; these are red. Beginning with same and different, we ask ourselves, “In what way are these things the same or different? Is this the only way they are the same or different? How else could they be grouped?”

The skill of logical thought is classification. In a very basic way, it helps us to make sense of our world. In a young child’s world it explains, “This is mama’s. This is daddy’s. This belongs to sister. It is not mine…unless I am two.”

At a young age, classification is what helps us make sense of our world. It gives order to our thinking. An older child may think, “These are crayons. These are markers. These are pencils.” We separate them for ease of use. As they enter school, they learn to organize their time. Now is the time to work. Now is the time to play. Classification is the skill that makes order out of chaos. Classified is the opposite of random.Continue reading “Classification: A Skill for Life”→

“Brian can’t tell the difference in a 5 and a 3 and he sure can’t begin to read! He’s severe! Good luck on that one!” That was my first introduction to a very “special” student as I began my career in education.

Brian had a problem with CFU. CFU is just one of six intellectual abilities that you have to have to be ready to read. What does that mean? And what does identifying a picture tell me about being able to read?

In the world of the Structure of Intellect, CFU stands for Cognition of Figural Units. It is the ability to look at a picture or representation of an object that has been partially erased and to be able to tell what that object is. In other words, it is the ability of your brain to fill in the blanks and make sense of what seems at first to be only random marks on the page. This skill, when applied to letters or symbols, makes up the gateway to reading.

Remember picture finding in your “Highlights for Children” magazines? It wasn’t just a fun activity, or a not so fun activity if you were unsuccessful. There was a reason for it! I now know that each of Brian’s eyes were seeing something different. That “dreamy” look he had when I looked at him now makes sense. How do you tell the difference in a 5 and a 3 when one eye places the right angle at one spot on the page and the other eye places it elsewhere? And, maybe it doesn’t place it in the same place the next Continue reading “SOI CFU: Filling in the Blanks”→

Have you ever wondered about your learning strengths and weaknesses?This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn how you learn best! With our new online tests, you will find out more about your learning style and abilities – memory, comprehension, evaluation, critical thinking, and more – and the roles that they play in your life, education, and career.

We offer three testing packages: PLA (kindergarten – third grade), ALA (third grade – adult), or ALA with careers. Each package includes a pre-test consultation, a learning abilities profile/analysis, and a post-test consultation.

Upon completion of your (or your child’s) test, you will receive a full learning abilities analysis. You will also have a consultation with a member of the SOI staff to review the results, discuss any concerns, and receive suggestions for areas that may need improvement. Personalized training materials are available at an additional cost.

Please contact us for details and pricing, and with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you take this next step in learning more about yourself!

When I hear this statement from a parent or educator, my mind switches into a questioning mode.

What kinds of things don’t they remember? Can you give me an example of what they can’t remember? Is it just one thing? Is it multiple things? Is it situational? What’s happening when they can’t remember? Is the information they don’t remember visual or auditory? Is the difficulty in remembering information or numbers?

No, I don’t badger the witness; I just wonder. The good news is that I don’t have to wonder long.